African Professional Hunters Association Recognizes Top Producing PHs

Published: March - 2013

The African Professional Hunters Association (APHA) held its annual awards event in Reno, Nevada, on January 24. Members of APHA work all over Africa and represent some of the best hunting professionals and conservationists on the continent. As usual, this year's winners were recognized for producing some absolutely outstanding trophies, beginning with the 96 x 102 pound elephant that Mike Kibble guided client Dana William Di Paola to in Namibia last year. Kibble received the John Sharp Award for Dangerous Game for that jumbo. The runners-up were Cliff Walker for a lion taken by Chris Payerk in Tanzania, and Shaun Buffee also for a lion taken by Steve Rogers in Zimbabwe.

The Robin Hurt Award for Non-Dangerous Game went to Johnny Chipman for an East African roan taken by client Jesus Viego. The roan measured 32 x 32 7/8 and scored 84 6/8, making it the new SCI number one. Gordie Church won the Spiral Horned Award with an East African sitatunga taken by Farid el Khalil which measured 29 6/8 x 29 and had bases of 8 3/8 and 8 1/8 inches. Paul Zorn was the runner-up with a Southern greater kudu measuring 63 x 61 inches with 12 2/8 inch bases.

Shaun Buffee won the Young Professional Hunter Award for a very productive season, including that magnificent lion which narrowly missed winning him the Dangerous Game Award.

Not all the APHA awards are for trophies but for other outstanding work. Raoul Ramoni won the Ox of Okavango Award, which recognizes conservation projects. Ramoni's family operates the Conservation Foundation Trust in Tanzania. And the Hunter Conservation Award went to Dr. Paula White for her excellent work in lion research. White is a major contributor to research behind lion aging. Her work is essential to the future of lion conservation and thus lion hunting. And finally, Cliff Walker was also given the Andre de Kock Award. Best described as an award for the PH's PH, it is voted by the organization's membership to recognize the PH who is well liked, well rounded and best........(continued)